BCS National Championship: Oregon, Auburn practice notes for Tuesday

January 04, 2011 / Posted by Lo-Lo

By John Hun, The Oregonian

After an early exit on Monday, the Ducks were a bit tardy coming back to the team hotel after Tuesday’s practice – no doubt waylaid by the wondrous waffles and fried chicken that was catered at the Pinnacle High School football field.

After finally filing onto the buses at the high school, the players returned to the hotel. They streamed off the buses, and soon the expansive grounds of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel smelled like chicken.

The 1,000-calorie plates (before the baked mac-n-cheese) came courtesy of Lo-Lo’s, a Phoenix institution whose comfort food is the favorite of Shaquille O’Neal, Amare Stoudemire, Muhammad Ali and others. The Ducks weren’t exactly floating like butterflies coming off the bus, but nutritionist James Harris figured there’s no harm in a little Lo-Lo’s in moderation.

No word on whether the 2:30-4:30 p.m. tutoring session – school is in session for the Ducks this week, but not for Auburn – turned into the 2:30-4:30 nap session.

Meanwhile, Auburn wrapped up its practice about the time the Ducks were getting back to their hotel.

There was security at the Tigers’ practice session at Scottsdale Community College, but not nearly like that of Oregon’s. Imagine security’s reaction when a solar panel worker climbed atop the Pinnacle High roof on Tuesday with a camera. Fortunately, there were no snipers.

There are also plans this week to heighten a fence that runs between the football field and a nearby housing community.

If you’re wondering where these sites are, they all sit near the 101 loop. If you think of the 101 as a big clock that encircles Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, the Tigers practice at 4 o’clock (Scottsdale Community College), the Ducks at 1 o’clock (Pinnacle High School), and the big game will be at 9 o’clock (University of Phoenix Stadium). The Ducks’ team hotel is at about 1:30.